§ 48-3-301. Preplacement assessment required. - North Carolina Statutes

Part 3. Preplacement Assessment.

§ 48‑3‑301. Preplacement assessment required.

(a)        Except as providedin subsection (b) of this section, placement of a minor may occur only if awritten preplacement assessment:

(1)        Has been completedor updated within the 18 months immediately preceding the placement; and

(2)        Contains a findingthat the individual who is the subject of the assessment is suitable to be anadoptive parent, either in general or for a specific minor.

(b)        A preplacementassessment is not required when a parent or guardian places a minor directlywith a grandparent, sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle, great‑aunt, great‑uncle,or great‑grandparent of the minor.

(c)        If a directplacement is made in violation of this section:

(1)        The prospective adoptiveparent shall request any preplacement assessment already commenced to beexpedited, and if none has been commenced, shall obtain a preplacementassessment from an agency as authorized by G.S. 48‑1‑109; in eithercase, the assessment shall include the fact and date of placement;

(2)        The court may notenter a decree of adoption until both a favorable preplacement assessment and areport to the court have been completed and filed, and the court may not ordera report to the court for at least 30 days after the preplacement assessmenthas been completed; and

(3)        If the person whoplaced the minor executes a consent before receiving a copy of the preplacementassessment, G.S. 48‑3‑608 shall determine the time within whichthat person may revoke. (1949, c. 300; 1957, c. 778, s. 2; 1967, c. 880, s. 2;1987, c. 716, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 410; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c);1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1997‑215, s. 19(a).)